Why you’ll love waterfalls
Who doesn’t love a waterfall? There’s something mesmerising about watching a stream tumble over a crag of rock and cascade at your feet. Happily, Tasmania’s East Coast has several impressive waterfalls.
The east coast’s waterfalls are all found within forest reserves located inland from the coast, and most are accessed via unsealed roads, so make sure your vehicle is suited to the journey before you get started. Water flow over the falls can be variable, so they are at their most spectacular after a period of rain.
Where you’ll find it
St Columba Falls, Pyengana
At 94 metres, this is Tasmania’s highest waterfall. St Columba Falls flows year round and is reached via a well-maintained, rainforest-fringed walking track that leads to a viewing platform at the base of the falls. St Columba Falls is approximately 30 minutes drive from St Helens. The return walk to the falls takes around 30 minutes, suitable for for families with young children and wheelchair use.
- Grade 2 Hike | 1hr return | Well formed track
- No dogs | No drones
Find out more about St Columba Falls.
Halls Falls, Pyengana
To reach this lovely waterfall, take the A3 from St Helens and turn right into Anchor Road, just before you reach Pyengana. Follow the walking track through the forest to reach the lookout over the falls. The walk to the falls takes around 40 minutes return from the car park, but allow longer and take your time to explore.
- Grade 3 Hike | 1hr return| Formed track, some obstacles
- No dogs | No drones | No caravans | Suitable for RVs
Find out more about Halls Falls.
Heritage Falls, Douglas Apsley National Park
The tallest and arguably best of the waterfalls on the Douglas River, Heritage Falls is a gorgeous waterfall plunging 15 metres into a wide and clear green pool typical of many of the waterfalls in the region. While the pools may present an inviting location for a dip in summer, the real issue is in getting there. Extreme care is required to reach the base of the falls, but if you can make it down, the views are spectacular.
- Grade 5 Hike | 6-7hrs return | Rough unformed track
- No dogs | No drones | No caravans or RVs
Find out more about Heritage Falls.
Leeaberra Falls, Douglas Apsley National Park
Just 100 metres downstream from the impressive Heritage Falls is Leeaberra Falls, its smaller but no less pretty twin. Leeaberra Falls tumbles about 8 metres down an unusual twisting drop, into a deep green pool. The easiest way to see the falls is by hiking downstream from the base of Heritage Falls where from a little outcrop it is possible to get a decent side-on view of Leeaberra Falls from the top.
- Grade 5 Hike | 7hrs return | Rough unformed track
- No dogs | No drones | No caravans or RVs
Find out more about Leeaberra Falls.
Gray Mares Tail, St Marys
A tall but typically low-flowing waterfall, Gray Mares Tail is nonetheless a worthwhile stop a short distance from St Marys, just before the road starts descending down St Marys Pass. To find the falls, look for an easy-to-miss pullout with a sign marking the St Marys Pass State Reserve on the left. The short and easy trail winds through the forest, before coming to a lookout platform overlooking the top section of the falls.
- Grade 2 Hike | 15min return | Formed track
- No dogs | No drones | Suitable for RVs
Find out more about Gray Mares Tail.
Evercreech Falls, Evercreech Forest Reserve
Situated on the Evercreech Rivulet, Evercreech Falls is a gentle waterfall that cascades down a steep slope, before dropping approximately 3 – 5 metres below. Your hike to the falls will end at the base of Evercreech Falls, surrounded by an intimate natural ampitheatre of Tasmanian rainforest and see the world’s tallest white gum trees.
- Grade 3 Hike | 40min return | Well formed track
- Dogs on leash | No drones | Suitable for RVs
Find out more about Evercreech Falls.
Evercreech Rivulet Falls, Evercreech Forest Reserve
Evercreech Rivulet Falls is a 3.7km, grade 5 hike located in the Evercreech Forest Reserve, Tasmania. Suitable for experienced hikers only. Allow 3 hours return as it is a rough unformed track with limited signage. Dogs are allowed on a leash, but beware of snakes and wildlife.
- Grade 5 Hike | 3hrs return | Rough unformed track
- Dogs on leash | No drones | Suitable for RVs
Find out more about Meetus Falls.
Ferntree Falls, St Helens
The Launceston Creek near St Helens is home to Ferntree Falls, a waterfall with a height between 5 – 10 metres. The waterfall comes to life after good rainfall, flowing down multiple tiers, making it a very good waterfall for photographers and waterfall enthusiasts. There isn’t a developed track as such, but some pink markers tied to trees assist in guiding you through to the waterfall.
- Grade 3 Hike | 20min return | Rough track, many obstacles
- Dogs on leash | No drones | No caravans or RVs
Find out more about Ferntree Falls.
Mathinna Falls, Mathinna Falls Forest Reserve
Mathinna Falls is a series of four excellent waterfalls totalling over 100 metres in height, with different difficulties to get to. The first waterfall, the easiest to access, is a short walk 15 minute return that guides you directly to the base of the waterfall. Mathinna Falls is a very pretty waterfall, with the waterfall pictured above being having a height of approximately 25 metres.
- Grade 2 Hike | 30min return | Formed track
- No dogs | No drones | No caravans or RVs
Find out more about Mathinna Falls.
How long will you need?
The waterfalls of the east coast are located inland from the coast, many within a short drive of each other. Take a full day to explore and visit several falls, or factor in your favourite as a side trip on your way to or from the Great Eastern Drive.
To help plan your visit, you can check our travel times and driving distances.
